In Detroit, a singer ends the National Anthem on the knee. 👊 #TakeTheKnee pic.twitter.com/yUnxFaBYE1
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) September 24, 2017
Donald Trump's weekend long attack on the NFL and it's players resulted in a show of unity from many within the NFL. Most teams released statements supporting their players' decision to express their first amendment right to protest, and some team owners even joined the athletes on the field by linking arms.
There was a lot of discussion about the choice to link arms and stay off the field versus taking a knee. To kneel signified, in most people's eyes, a direct protest of police brutality and institutionalized racism, while linking arms seemed to signify the unity of the NFL in a rebuttal to Trump's aggressive comments.
The mass action received support from celebrities like J.Cole, Zendaya, Diddy, John Legend, Zoe Kravitz and Michael B. Jordan, who took to social media supporting the cause. In the exact opposite move, the race car driving organization NASCAR threatened to fire any driver or crew member who protested the national anthem.
Here's a running list of players, coaches and cheerleaders who kneeled, linked arms, or stayed off the field.
Kneeled
Members of the Broncos, Bills, Browns, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Chargers, Dolphins, Falcons, Jaguars, Lions, Ravens, and Patriots, all took a knee during the national anthem. Anthem singers Rico Lavelle and Megan Lindsay both knelt as they finished their renditions. A Georgia Tech dancer also took a knee during the anthem. LeSean McCoy of the Buffalo Bills did not stop his pregame warm up, and instead vigorously stretched throughout the song.
Updated at 8:40 p.m. on 9/24
Most of the Oakland Raiders and some of the Washington Redskins also sat or kneeled during the anthem.
Stayed off the field
The Titans, Steelers, and the Seahawks did not take the field during the game, with the exception of one player from the Steelers. The WNBA Sparks also stayed off the court.
Linked Arms
Every team on the roster to play Sunday held linked arms, either as an entire team or segments of the team. The WNBA Lynx also linked arms on the court.
Check out photos and video below from today's games.
Proudest & scariest moment as a yellow-jacket happened at the same time. Thank you @Kaepernick7 for inspiring to #TakeAKnee to take a stand pic.twitter.com/iJVqHEpWx0
— Issa Rai (@freeSPIRIT_5678) September 24, 2017
LeSean McCoy stretches during the national anthem. Video courtesy @JennaCottrell @WKBW @13WHAM #Bills pic.twitter.com/2tT4NmdoD8
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 24, 2017
Almost entire Broncos team takes a knee #Bills pic.twitter.com/gEOIbtVMo4
— They call me E ☜ (@yamanboo) September 24, 2017
Several #Browns players lock arms, kneel for anthem pic.twitter.com/PhFBLDnm0d
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) September 24, 2017
The Sparks stayed in the locker room during the national anthem, while the Lynx locked arms. pic.twitter.com/BcgXc5Ctyj
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 24, 2017
During Chiefs-Chargers, Travis Kelce is maybe the most prominent white player to kneel today. Several Chargers players kneeling, too. pic.twitter.com/nnmJIGjmMA
— Tyler R. Tynes (@TylerRickyTynes) September 24, 2017
Seahawks-Titans national anthem singer Megan Lindsey took a knee at the end: pic.twitter.com/K5JZmptPBx
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 24, 2017
There are no players on the field. pic.twitter.com/0ivCZBlucH
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 24, 2017
Broncos and Bills sidelines during the national anthem pic.twitter.com/9eu8rref3R
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 24, 2017
United. pic.twitter.com/5rQI3G6oMb
— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) September 25, 2017